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23 01 2008

Tribute to Heath Ledger

I was saddened by the news, when I was sitting in my office yesterday, that Heath Ledger had passed away. A media frenzy ensued, and it was later discovered that the cause of Heath’s death may have been perscription medicine that the 28-year-old Aussie actor had been taking to fight a battle against depression and sleep deprivation.

NYC Commissioner Browne wouldn’t elaborate on what the pills were but said that they included sleeping pills.

“There were some still left in the bottle,” he said. “They were not scattered around the apartment.”

Called Ambien in the US, the tablet is marketed as Stilnox Down
Under and hit headlines last year when a national drug hotline fielded
calls from users reporting strange side-effects.

Some 500 people described odd behaviors from walking, crashing
cars, having sex and falling from balconies after popping a pill.

One patient gained 23 kilograms over seven months after unknowingly
eating from the refrigerator while asleep. Another patient woke up with
a paintbrush in her hand after painting the front door.

I won’t yet express my opinion on the situation surrounding his drug-related overdose, but just wanted to take a moment to recognize Heath. I
particularly appreciate Heath’s work in today’s world
where hate, homophobia and discrimination still run rampant throughout
our society, He (as well as many other allegedly heterosexual actors)
feel comfortable to play a role that attempts to force the world to
think twice about homosexuality, human rights and equality as well as the
reality that despite our background, color, sex, race (whatever it may
be), we all have the right to express our love, sexuality and intimacy
with whoever we like regardless of gender. We all have the right to be treated equally, regardless of our sexuality.

Reactions?

Shortly after the incident and after finding his body, the housekeeper frantically called the building Manager of where Heath had been living, Tamba Mossa. “She
was saying, ‘Something happened. Something happened to him. Come here
now’.”

When Mossa got to Heath’s fourth-floor apartment, he said that the
place was swarming with police officers, and he saw Heath’s body
covered and being moved off the bed.

Heath Ledger’s neighbors were equally shocked and saddened.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Dan Gillham. “He was such a vibrant guy.
Heath pretty much kept to himself after moving here two years ago. We
seldom saw Michelle or their young daughter, but we know he was very
proud of his child.”

Another neighbor, actor Adrian Belliani, added, “It’s such a shame
that he should die at such a young age. Everybody that knew Heath
seemed to like him.”